Social Norms and Community Mobilization Analyst

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, and population issues. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a mission to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization is committed to achieving transformative results in ending preventable maternal deaths, unmet need for family planning, and gender-based violence. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 emphasizes the importance of addressing the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women's and girls' access to sexual and reproductive health services, while also promoting human rights and ethical standards in its operations. UNFPA is currently responding to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, which has seen significant internal displacement due to ongoing conflicts.

Job Overview:
The Social Norms and Community Mobilization Analyst will play a pivotal role in analyzing and addressing harmful social and gender norms that contribute to maternal and neonatal mortality and gender-based violence (GBV). This position requires the incumbent to lead the planning, design, and implementation of community mobilization strategies aimed at increasing awareness, shifting behaviors, and enhancing access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and GBV prevention and response services. The analyst will work closely with government counterparts, implementing partners, and civil society organizations to foster collaborative relationships and ensure the effective implementation of UNFPA's work plan across seven states in Sudan. The role also involves identifying emerging issues and influencing stakeholders to advance UNFPA's mandate on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be responsible for designing, planning, implementing, and monitoring program initiatives related to rights-based quality SRH service delivery, including adolescent and youth SRH, emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC), family planning, and management of gender-based violence. This includes providing technical support and capacity building to implementing partners. The analyst will contribute to effective knowledge management strategies, disseminating national guidelines, protocols, and information education and communication (IEC) materials for improved RH and family planning and GBV service delivery. The role requires collaboration with country office staff to apply UNFPA business processes for managing implementing partners, including planning, monitoring, and reporting on programs and results. The analyst will also conduct technical reviews of laws, policies, strategies, and products related to SRHR and GBV. Additionally, the incumbent will identify and assess social, cultural, and gender norms contributing to GBV and poor SRH outcomes, design context-specific strategies to challenge harmful practices, and develop inclusive community mobilization plans that engage various stakeholders. The role includes collaborating with partners to design evidence-based behavior change communication campaigns and working with service providers to improve service accessibility and acceptability.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree (minimum Master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Anthropology, Sociology, Gender Studies, Public Health, or related disciplines relevant to community engagement and social behavior change. Additionally, candidates should have at least three years of progressively responsible professional experience in social norms programming, community mobilization, or related areas within gender equality, GBV prevention, or sexual and reproductive health. Proven knowledge and practical experience in social norms theory, behavioral change frameworks, and participatory methodologies are essential. The ability to work with civil society organizations, women-led groups, youth groups, and community actors in various settings is also required. Familiarity with monitoring and evaluating social norms outcomes and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, is necessary.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree (minimum Master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Anthropology, Sociology, Gender Studies, Public Health, or other related disciplines relevant to community engagement and social behavior change is required for this position.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least three years of progressively responsible professional experience in social norms programming, community mobilization, or related areas within gender equality, GBV prevention, or sexual and reproductive health. Experience in designing, implementing, and monitoring community-based initiatives focused on shifting harmful gender norms and promoting positive behaviors is essential. A strong track record of facilitating community dialogues and capacity-building efforts is also important.

Languages:
Fluency and proficiency in English and Arabic is required for this position. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package, including a competitive net salary, health insurance, and other applicable benefits. UNFPA promotes a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance. The organization encourages applications from women, individuals from minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. UNFPA is committed to ensuring equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation, and selection for all candidates, regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity.